Philosophy of Osteopathy   By: A. T. (Andrew Taylor) Still (1828-1917)

Philosophy of Osteopathy;

BY

ANDREW T. STILL,

DISCOVERER OF THE SCIENCE OF OSTEOPATHY AND PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHY.

PUBLISHED BY A. T. STILL, KIRKSVILLE, MO 1899.

Copyrighted, 1899, by A. T. STILL.

Lithoprinted by EDWARD BROTHERS, INC. Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A.

Preface.

Many of my friends have been anxious ever since Osteopathy became an established fact, that I should write a treatise on the science. But I was never convinced that the time was ripe for such a production, nor am I even now convinced that this is not a little premature. Osteopathy is only in its infancy, it is a great unknown sea just discovered, and as yet we are only acquainted with its shore tide.

When I saw others who had not more than skimmed the surface of the science, taking up the pen to write books on Osteopathy, and after having carefully examined their productions, found they were drinking from the fountains of old schools of drugs, dragging back the science to the very systems from which I divorced myself so many years ago, and realized that hungry students were ready to swallow such mental poison, dangerous as it was, I became fully awakened to the necessity of some sort of Osteopathic literature for those wishing to be informed.

This book is free from quotations from medical authors, and differs from them in opinion on almost every important question. I do not expect it to meet their approval; such a thing would be unnatural and impossible.

It is my object in this work to teach principles as I understand them, and not rules. I do not instruct the student to punch or pull a certain bone, nerve or muscle for a certain disease, but by a knowledge of the normal and abnormal, I hope to give a specific knowledge for all diseases.

This work has been written a little at a time for several years, just as I could snatch a moment from other cares to devote to it. I have carefully compiled these thoughts into a treatise. Every principle herein laid down has been fairly well tested by myself, and proven true.

The book has been written by myself in my own way, without any ambition to fine writing, but to give to the world a start in a philosophy that may be a guide in the future.

Owing to the great haste with which the book has been rushed through the press to meet the urgent demand, we will ask the indulgence of the public for any imperfection that may appear. Hoping the world may profit by these thoughts, I am,

Respectfully, A. T. STILL.

Kirksville, Mo., Sept. 1, 1899.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

SOME INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

Not a Work of Compilation Authors Quoted Method of Reasoning The Osteopath an Artist When I Became an Osteopath Dr. Neal's Opinion The Opinions of Others What Studies Necessary What I Mean by Anatomy Principles The Practicing Osteopath's Guide The Fascia Not a pleasing Task Without Accepted Theories Truths of Nature Body, Motion and Mind Osteopathy to Cure Disease The Osteopath Should Find Health. Page 11

CHAPTER II.

OSTEOPATHIC EXPLORATIONS.

Divisions of the Body Searching for the Cause Duty of the Osteopathic Explorer Classification and Division The Abnormal Nerve Powers Witnesses to Examine Abnormal Growths Cerebro Spinal Fluid Body in Perfect Health Chemistry Nature's Chemistry. Page 29

CHAPTER III.

THE HEAD.

A Free Circulation Death Blows Something of the Neck Order of Treatment The Pelvis Brains of Animals Arterial Motion Mental Vibrations Overburdening the Mind Hemiplegia. Page 43

CHAPTER IV.

EAR WAX AND ITS USES.